IMPERIAL KNIVES ESTIMATED AT A QUARTER OF MILLION

Date: 13.03.2008 Source: The Russian Antique

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White armor. By Wilhelm Worms the Elder. Germany. Circa 1520. Steel, moulding. Estimate ┬70 000√90 000. Hessink's auctions. 2nd International Arms & Armour Auction. March 8 [zoom (62k)]

On March 8, Dutch Hessink's auctions will hold the sales named ╚2nd International Arms & Armour Auction╩ which will represent antiquarian armament.

The main lot which is expected to be the most important is unique gift set of flatware in a Late Gothic Style. This set was presented to Prince Matvey von Wellenburg, archbishop of Salzburg by Maximilian I, Emperor of Holy Roman Empire. Those pieces were used only at court banquets and most likely that this set is the most ancient in its kind.

The set consists of two-pins fork, two big knives with wide rounded blades and two smaller knives in sheathes of red Moroccan leather. Hafts made of rock crystal are finished with silver. There inserted in it a piece of parchment with carved coat of arms of the prince and ╚1515╩ date. Pieces are marked with emblem of Ercole, an Italian craftsman who probably worked in Milan in 1500. Red sheathes of gilded stamping is embellished with a coat of arms of Ferdinand Julius von Troyer who was the archbishop of Olmutz in the middle of the 18th century. The set is estimated at ┬200 000√250 000.

Complete armor made by Wilhelm Worms the Elder (1501√1537), Nuremberg craftsman is a remarkable example of skills of German armourers of the 16th century. White lamellate coat of mail with closed helmet having been assembled in 1520 protected warrior▓s head and neck completely; gloves covered hands properly and almost did not hinder movements. The height of armor is 163 cm. Unicorn, a stamp of Wilhelm Worms the Elder is engraved at cuirass, collar and gloves. The lot is estimated at ┬70 000√90 000.

Among other highlights is armor from the Northern Italy made in 1580. Closed helmet-salade with separated cuts for eyes and cross-shaped one for breathing including vizard are one integral whole. Noncutting breastplate and gorget resemble peapod in their form. Provenance of this article comes from the collection of Adrian, a son of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The list of top lots of the future auction includes armor of the period of the Thirty Years▓ War from the Southern Germany with Pappenheimer helmet. The lot was estimated at ┬25 000√30 000.

One more interesting lot is rare Spanish helmet with chin rest and gorget of the late 15th century (estimate ┬20 000√30 000). The height of the helmet is 17,0. It is perforated with number of round cuts.